DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.50106#0049
32
The Burials.
Contraction
of burial.
Deshasheh1
V dyn.
L side,
head
N,
facing E
Medum2 3
IV dyn.
L „
N,
„ E
Gizeh
IV—VI dyn.
L „
N,
„ E
EAST BANK OF
RIVER.
El Kab*
proto-dynastic
L side,
head
s,
face W
— Late III—IV dyn.
L „
N,
„ E
Naqa-el-Der
predynastic
L „
s,
„ w
—
proto-dynastic
L „
s,
„ w
—
IV—V
L „
r>
N,
„ E
El Ahaiwa
predynastic
L „
s,
„ w
An examination of the
above data gives
us two
very
definite results:—
a) From the earliest predynastic time to the IV dyn. the bodies were laid on their left
sides, with their heads to the S—i. e. faced W.4 5
b) From the IV dyn. onwards, up to the gradual adoption in the V—VI dyn. of the full
length position, the bodies were still laid on their left sides, but the direction was
exactly reversed, the head being N, face E.
These peculiarities of position were strikingly constant, occurring with equal regularity in
all parts of the country, and on both sides of the river. It is clear, therefore, that the burial
position had to the early Egyptian a distinct ritualistic significance. Just what that significance
was we do not propose to discuss here, as it affords a dangerously fascinating field for theorizing,
which the present state of our knowledge hardly justifies us in entering upon. We wish,
however, before passing on, to lay special emphasis on one fact, namely, that, aside from the
contraction, the essential point about the early burial position, more essential even than the
orientation, was that the body should be laid on its left side.
The burials were all sharply contracted, much more sharply as a rule than the ordinary
predynastic burial (see page 33).
Figures 74 and 75 shew the different varieties of position. For the sake of clearness the
positions of legs and arms are given separately (see Figures page 33)/
The normal position for this cemetery was 1 in each case. The other positions given
were variants. In the majority of cases, therefore, the knees came right up to the chin,
and both hands were placed before the face. The slight variations of position, both as regards
legs and arms, are apparent in the diagrams, and need no comment. No. 10 in the first series
only occurred once, and is most unusual. In three cases, all women, one or both hands
were over the pudenda. The head usually faced directly west, but in a few cases it was turned
over so that the forehead, and not the chin, rested on the knees, while occasionally it was
turned to face upwards (first series 8). Sometimes we find the body only partially turned
1 Petrie, Deshasheh, page 18.
2 Petrie, Medum, page 21.
3 Quibell, El Kab, page 13.
4 The single exception was at El Amrah. Here also burial on the right side was not universal, a few being found in the usual position.
5 The numbers in each series refer only to that series, and have no relation to the numbers in the other series.
The Burials.
Contraction
of burial.
Deshasheh1
V dyn.
L side,
head
N,
facing E
Medum2 3
IV dyn.
L „
N,
„ E
Gizeh
IV—VI dyn.
L „
N,
„ E
EAST BANK OF
RIVER.
El Kab*
proto-dynastic
L side,
head
s,
face W
— Late III—IV dyn.
L „
N,
„ E
Naqa-el-Der
predynastic
L „
s,
„ w
—
proto-dynastic
L „
s,
„ w
—
IV—V
L „
r>
N,
„ E
El Ahaiwa
predynastic
L „
s,
„ w
An examination of the
above data gives
us two
very
definite results:—
a) From the earliest predynastic time to the IV dyn. the bodies were laid on their left
sides, with their heads to the S—i. e. faced W.4 5
b) From the IV dyn. onwards, up to the gradual adoption in the V—VI dyn. of the full
length position, the bodies were still laid on their left sides, but the direction was
exactly reversed, the head being N, face E.
These peculiarities of position were strikingly constant, occurring with equal regularity in
all parts of the country, and on both sides of the river. It is clear, therefore, that the burial
position had to the early Egyptian a distinct ritualistic significance. Just what that significance
was we do not propose to discuss here, as it affords a dangerously fascinating field for theorizing,
which the present state of our knowledge hardly justifies us in entering upon. We wish,
however, before passing on, to lay special emphasis on one fact, namely, that, aside from the
contraction, the essential point about the early burial position, more essential even than the
orientation, was that the body should be laid on its left side.
The burials were all sharply contracted, much more sharply as a rule than the ordinary
predynastic burial (see page 33).
Figures 74 and 75 shew the different varieties of position. For the sake of clearness the
positions of legs and arms are given separately (see Figures page 33)/
The normal position for this cemetery was 1 in each case. The other positions given
were variants. In the majority of cases, therefore, the knees came right up to the chin,
and both hands were placed before the face. The slight variations of position, both as regards
legs and arms, are apparent in the diagrams, and need no comment. No. 10 in the first series
only occurred once, and is most unusual. In three cases, all women, one or both hands
were over the pudenda. The head usually faced directly west, but in a few cases it was turned
over so that the forehead, and not the chin, rested on the knees, while occasionally it was
turned to face upwards (first series 8). Sometimes we find the body only partially turned
1 Petrie, Deshasheh, page 18.
2 Petrie, Medum, page 21.
3 Quibell, El Kab, page 13.
4 The single exception was at El Amrah. Here also burial on the right side was not universal, a few being found in the usual position.
5 The numbers in each series refer only to that series, and have no relation to the numbers in the other series.